1 ] 8 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



fathoms. In the morning entered the bay, the weather very thick, and coasted the shore along, 

 2^ miles distant ; kept away for the harbor of Endermo, and shortly after meridian made the 

 land ahead, which we approached within two miles, and ran along it in ten fathoms water, 

 keeping off when shoaling that depth ; the fog continuing thick, and the surf breaking far 

 from the shore, could not see the entrance, which is quite narrow, and shut in by adjacent 

 points. Having passed its position, continued along the land/ running by the lead until 7, 

 p. m., when we anchored off a small village. After night, it clearing a little, discovered three 

 junks anchored near a large town, distant about three miles. During the night and all next 

 day thick fog and rainy, with fresh breezes from E.S.E. ; the land not in sight. At sunrise on 

 the 27th the fog partly dispersed; weighed and stood for the eastern coast, sounding from a 

 boat in 5 fathoms to within a mile and a half of the shore ; also running a line of soundings 

 with the ship, as we had previously done since entering the bay. At 11 the fog cleared off and 

 disclosed to our view the handsomest country I have seen since visiting Japan. The hill-sides 

 to the sea were covered with trees of a dark-green foliage, interspersed here and there with 

 yellow spots, which I supposed to be under cultivation ; villages and scattering houses were 

 in sight in every direction near the beach, which is generally sandy. The bay abounds with 

 sea-fowl, and has every indication of abundance of fresh water running from the ravines. At 

 meridian the depth of water was 17 fathoms; running 9 knots east, for an indentation in the 

 land, supposed to be the entrance of the port. The whole circle of this large bay in sight; the 

 tops of most of the mountains covered with snow; and two volcanoes to the N.E. in a state of 

 eruption. As we approached the land, we found the trees and shrubs looking less verdant than 

 those on the opposite shore, and intermixed with a great deal of dead wood, both erect and 

 prostrate. Continued on, and passed a small island, called after one of Broughton's crew; also 

 a village of about twenty houses opposite, and found that we were standing up the channel of En- 

 dermo ; keeping off gradually from east until 6" 30™, when we anchored, heading S.W. A few 

 houses abreast of the ship, on the port side, distant half a mile; a fortification on a hill south 

 of us, and a shed near the water, where we supposed two guns were mounted. At 8 p. m., 

 two Japanese officers came on board, rowed by Aino Indians; they had in a sheet of paper 

 some rice and a small piece of wood ; they made signs to know if we wished either, also water ; 

 and being told we wanted nothing, after asking the usual questions, they went on shore. At 

 7 p. m., the ship was visited by a functionary with many attendants ; he was clad in the usual 

 Japanese manner, but had, over all, a pelisse coat with a red collar and considerable embroidery. 

 He was told that although we required nothing, we would pay for fish, vegetables, and eggs, 

 if sent on board. He despatched his boat, which soon returned with a bundle of stems looking 

 like the rhubarb plant ; he said, owing to the bad weather, there was no fish, and only three 

 chickens in the place. After refreshments, he, with his party, landed. I think he was a sort 

 of military governor, and rather unfavorably inclined towards us. The preliminary arrange- 

 ments having been made, the survey was commenced; the master, Geo. A Stevens, and Midship- 

 man May being detailed for that duty with the necessary force. 



At 2 p.m., a large party came off with the two officers that were on board last night, and 

 another personage, with quite a showy dress, richly worked with gold thread and lace ; he was 

 a civil or political officer of some kind. They brought several bundles of vegetables, herbs, 

 and a few salt fish ; hauled up a net alongside, and presented us with the contents — about sixty 

 flounders. Declining all pay, I made them a return present ; when, after the usual refresh- 

 ments, they departed in fine humor. A gang of hands employed clamming returned with a 



